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Heads up: Due to the federal government shutdown, attractions that are part of Independence National Historical Park — including the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall — are temporarily closed, according to the National Park Service.
Insider tip: The exterior of Independence Hall still looks great in photos (both from Independence Square and Independence Mall), and the Liberty Bell is visible through a window on the east side of its building.
Many other attractions in Philadelphia’s Historic District remain open and are ready to welcome visitors.
Keep reading below for some of the attractions in Philadelphia’s Historic District that remain open during the shutdown, as well as a list of what’s closed.
And for more events and things to do in Philadelphia, check out our Things to Do landing page.
On 5th Street, next to the east wing of Independence Hall, Philosophical Hall was built by the American Philosophical Society, the nation’s first “think tank,” as the first U.S. museum and scientific society.
Today, the American Philosophical Society Museum’s exhibits feature treasures from the society’s collections of over 13 million manuscripts and other historical objects.
Where: American Philosophical Society Museum, 104 S. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Did Betsy Ross make the first American flag or not? Ask her yourself when you visit the iconic home of America’s most famous seamstress.
Chat with Betsy to hear about the history of the flag and her interaction with George Washington as you explore the tiny rooms and tight staircases of her 1740s abode.
Where: Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
It’s not just the flawless, brick-lined Georgian architecture that makes Carpenters’ Hall a must-see attraction.
In 1774, delegates from 12 colonies gathered here to vote on and pass a trade embargo against England, one of the first unified acts of defiance against King George III. This Continental Congress was the first step toward the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted and signed two years later at nearby Independence Hall.
Where: Carpenters' Hall, 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Constructed in the early 1700s, Christ Church was a sacred gathering place for some of the most prominent early Americans, including George Washington, Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin, whose reserved family pew is a popular stop on the church’s guided 20-minute tour.
A few blocks away lies Christ Church Burial Ground, home of the final resting place of many of the nation’s first history makers, including Franklin himself. Toss a penny onto his grave for good luck (which can be done with good aim from the sidewalk).
Where: Christ Church, 20 N. American Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Christ Church Burial Ground, 340 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA
This riverfront destination, which opened in 2018, took an old indoor-outdoor pier and revitalized it with artist and maker spaces (made out of shipping containers) and food and drink vendors.
The airy spot hosts plenty of year-round community programming, including its annual fall fest, running through October 31, 2025.
Where: Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Literally step your way into history on Elfreth’s Alley, one of America’s oldest continuously inhabited residential streets.
Cobblestones quilt the ground of this charming, narrow pathway. The 32 houses once owned by some of the nation’s earliest craftsmen, merchants and artisans are now private residences, but two of the homes have been turned into an informative public museum.
Where: Elfreth's Alley, 126 Elfreth's Alley, Philadelphia, PA
Enjoy the outdoors at fun-filled Franklin Square park, named in honor of — who else? — Benjamin Franklin.
Take a mini-tour of Philadelphia as you putt-putt your way through scale models of the city’s iconic sites at Philly Mini Golf — decked out with cobwebs and pumpkins for spooky season — or enjoy a nostalgic ride on the Parx Liberty Carousel, a classic tribute to Philadelphia’s great heritage of carousel-making.
There’s also a large fountain (featuring seasonal shows and nighttime light displays), SquareBurger food stand and lots of open space to lounge or run around.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Floating on the Delaware River are two incongruous vessels that guests are encouraged to climb aboard and explore: the 130-year-old Navy Cruiser USS Olympia (the nation’s oldest steel warship) and World War II-era USS Becuna (a 300-foot Balao submarine).
But those museum ships are just the tip of what the Independence Seaport Museum has to offer. The maritime history museum features over 25,000 artifacts across a half-dozen hands-on exhibits, including a working boat shop and a collection of large-scale model ships.
Where: Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
The Independence Visitor Center offers a one-stop shop for everything tourists need to know about navigating a visit to Philadelphia.
Sightseers can stop in for tickets to nearby attractions as well as purchase snacks and souvenirs.
Where: Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Walk on hallowed ground when you visit Mother Bethel AME Church, the mother church of the nation’s first black denomination. Founded in 1787, the church rests upon the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African Americans.
In its basement, formerly used as an Underground Railroad station, the church memorializes Reverend Richard Allen, its founding pastor and first bishop. Visitors can view Allen’s crypt and explore other artifacts from his time as preacher.
Where: Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 419 S. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Just steps from Independence Hall, the Museum of the American Revolution traces the evolution of the American colonies from the earliest days of unrest through a legendary war and the improbable victory that led to a new nation.
Immersive exhibitions and priceless artifacts include General Washington’s original headquarters tent, Revolutionary War weaponry, centuries-old military documents and hundreds of other authentic objects.
Where: Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
From the reverse room — featuring an old-school diner booth hanging from the ceiling — to the spinning and disorienting vortex tunnel, there are plenty of opportunities inside the Museum of Illusions Philadelphia to pose for that next great profile picture.
This eminently Instagrammable attraction offers dozens of hands-on exhibits meant to trick the eye and teach visitors all about vision, perception and the human brain.
Where: Museum of Illusions Philadelphia, 401 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Dedicated to the four most powerful pages in America’s history, the National Constitution Center examines “We the People.”
Museum-goers can explore exhibits and artifacts, view an original copy of the Bill of Rights, walk among 42 life-size bronze statues of delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and learn more about Constitutional amendments that ended slavery (13th Amendment), and granted the right to vote to Black men (15th Amendment) and some women (19th Amendment).
Where: National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
A fixture in Old City since 2000, the National Liberty Museum is a gallery dedicated to teaching visitors about the diversity of Americans and respect for all people and celebrating the stories of heroes across the globe.
The museum’s galleries showcase nearly 80 imaginative and interactive exhibits and close to 200 works of contemporary art (including an expansive collection of glass art), surrounded by the stories of 2,000 difference-makers like Jackie Robinson, Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai.
Where: National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Ever wonder where a president takes his wife to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary? For George Washington, that was the Powel House, home to 18th-century power couple Elizabeth and Samuel Powel, who bedecked the rooms inside their mansion with museum-quality clocks, portraits and other treasures.
For mansion-viewing with a bit more scandal, head to the Hill-Physick House, where rich marital drama between the original homeowners leaves a story that’ll make you want to linger and listen.
Where: Powel House, 244 S. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Hill-Physick House, 321 S. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA
The U.S. Mint at Philadelphia, adjacent to Independence National Historical Park, can cast nearly 2 million coins each hour. Fortunately, it costs exactly zero coins to take a tour to see it. The mint offers free self-guided tours from an enclosed catwalk 40 feet above the factory floor.
The 45-minute tour highlights include America’s very first coining press dating back to 1792, seven turn-of-the-century Tiffany glass mosaics and push-button stations showing videos about the minting process (narrated by late Phillies announcer Harry Kalas). Just don’t ask if you can take home any free samples.
Where: U.S. Mint at Philadelphia, 151 N. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA
Take a journey through 360 years of Jewish history in the U.S. at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, which is filled with more than 1,200 artifacts and documents, 2,500 images, 30 original films and 13 state-of-the-art interactive media displays — all free to visit (with a suggested donation).
Where: Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA
Here’s a partial list of sites that are temporarily closed during the federal government shutdown, according to the Independence Visitor Center:
Staty tuned for more information on additional site closures.
After working up an appetite, grab a bite to eat at one of Philly’s great new restaurants.
The city’s award-winning food scene is joined by plenty of new restaurants worth checking out in their own right — from Stephen Starr’s ambitious Italian spot, Borromini, in Rittenhouse Square to James Beard Award-winning chef Phila Lorn’s highly anticipated oyster house, Sao, in East Passyunk.
Where: Various locations including Jaffa Bar, 1625 N. Howard Street, Philadelphia, PA
Halloween is a real scream in Philadelphia.
Each fall, Philly takes spooky season to the next level as creepy haunted houses, nerve-wracking hayrides and terrifying Halloween attractions pop up throughout the region, scaring up new and over-the-top Hollywood production-level experiences set inside some of the creepiest places you can imagine, including historic prisons (Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary).
Events and fests? Philly’s got ’em — lots of ’em.
Our popular Things to Do in Philadelphia This Week & Weekend guide is updated every Monday morning with dozens of the absolute coolest events, exhibition unveilings, restaurant openings and more things to do.
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.
Which will you choose?
Where to begin your exploration of the city's vast cultural scene...